Magpie rookie retires

Watch the best of Kyle Martin's best on ground display against Richmond in the VFL during season 2014.Kyle Martin continued his strong form in the win against Richmond in the VFL

Kyle Martin played six senior games for Collingwood between 2013 and 2014.

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Collingwood rookie Kyle Martin has announced his retirement from AFL football.

The 24-year-old, who played six senior games in his two seasons at the club, has signalled his intent to step away from the highest level to concentrate on his work as a plumber and play local football.

Collingwood Director of Football Rodney Eade said Martin’s decision was made with the club’s blessing.

“He wants to set himself up for life after footy and concentrate on his plumbing life,” Eade told collingwoodfc.com.au.

“AFL level was short term, and he is more comfortable going back to play in suburban football, with his main priority being his plumbing and forging a career for himself.

“As a club, we’re disappointed. We see good improvement in him with his football development and that culminated in some fantastic performances in the VFL over the last two seasons, so we wish him all the best going forward.

“We have had extensive conversations with him for what was best for him to make sure that he was making the decision for the right reasons and for his own well being, and we are certainly comfortable with that.”

Martin won back-to-back Joseph Wren Memorial Trophies as Collingwood’s best and fairest player at VFL level.

In 28 games between 2013 and 2014, Martin kicked 63 goals despite playing predominantly as an onballer.

He averaged 26.3 disposals in 15 VFL games this season, to match his 5.9 tackles and 6.7 clearances per outing.

Martin thanked the club’s development coaches during his Joseph Wren Trophy acceptance speech on Copeland Trophy night, and paid special credit to the work done by Tarkyn Lockyer.

“Thanks to all the development coaches,” Martin told those gathered in the Crown Palladium.

“Tapps (VFL coach Dale Tapping) puts in a lot of hard work that a lot of people don’t see.

“Thanks to Tarks. Working with him during the last couple of years has been a great help to my football and he has been a great role model.

“To all the VFL boys, it's a pleasure to play with you.

“Nobody begrudges going down to play with you because it’s great fun.”

Martin illustrated his ability to make the transition to AFL football during his brief time in the senior side, collecting 19 disposals and kicking two goals on debut against Brisbane in 2013, followed by another three majors against Melbourne just one week later.

He added two more senior appearances in 2014 against the South Australian clubs and finished the year with an admirable performance in the loss to Sandringham in the VFL Elimination Final.

Prior to his time in the AFL, Martin carved out a spectacular career in suburban and state league football.

After playing for the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup in the final years of his junior career, Martin returned to his local club, Noble Park, where he won the club’s best and fairest in his first season and went on to finish runner up in the Eastern Football League’s best and fairest award in 2011.

Martin took the next step in his football development when he was invited to train with stand alone VFL club Frankston by its coach Simon Goosey ahead of the 2012 season.

Aged 21, Martin played 17 senior games, represented the VFL against the Tasmanian State League, won the Dolphins best and fairest and was named in the VFL Team of the Year.

Ahead of the 2012 drafts, he fielded interest from several clubs – namely Collingwood, Essendon and Melbourne – and landed at the Westpac Centre with the 13th overall selection in the December Rookie Draft.

In total, Martin kicked 76 goals in 45 games across three VFL seasons.